1. Re-energizing your Library Space to Enhance Service Bill Mitchell, MLIS, MArch CLA/APLA/NLLA Conference St John’s Newfoundland May 24, 2007

2. Quality Space Supports Quality Service

3. First Impressions Count

5.  A library that does not work logically, also suffers visually  A library that suffers visually also does not work logically.

6. First Impressions Count

9. Library Design is like gardening; Everyone who does it thinks their way is best.

10. Adapting to New Realities  The need to redefine spaces to support services offers an opportunity to develop new roles and relationships in the community.  Redefined roles require redesigned space  Redesigned space fosters improved service

11. Adapting to New Realities  Need to combine real space and cyberspace intelligently and effectively.  Need to meet expectations from ‘tech savvy’ customers  Need to transfer routine tasks to customers while maintaining valued relationships

12. Adapting to New Realities  Need to meet increased expectations of value for money and sustainability  Need to challenge library ‘sacred cows’

13. Excellent library spaces provide:  consideration of human scale in buildings and spaces at all times  visually coherent spaces for greatest ease of use and friendliness of space  sense of spatial definition for specific areas

14. Excellent library spaces provide:  simplicity and elegance in design, furnishings and equipment  streamlined layouts that enhance coherence, legibility and wayfinding  visually apparent service points

15. Excellent library spaces provide:  technology visually incorporated into the physical space  ergonomic solutions considered and applied for both public and staff  air and light qualities that are conducive to specific activities

17. Timeless values in library design:  Flexible  Compact  Accessible  Extendable  Varied  Comfortable  Organised  Secure  Economical  Sustainable  Adaptable to changing technology

18. “A library should generate an atmosphere both exciting and refreshing – it must settle down so that it can be comfortably used.” Paul Goldberger US Architectural Critic

19. Current Trends  Increased focus on library as destination, public gathering space growing recognition of the importance of providing a variety of adequate, comfortable seating for those who wish to spend time in the library.

20. Current Trends  An accessible, user friendly facility In today’s world, wheel-chair accessibility, automatic doors, accessible washrooms, and aisles wide enough to maneuver a wheel-chair are essential for an effective library.

21. Current Trends  Informal Gathering places that serve to : Make people feel at home, have a sense of belonging Foster relationships between people, support diversity Create a sense of place and community Invoke a sense of civic pride Offer sanctuary, a place to relax and unwind

22. Current Trends  Opening up of space to create an open welcoming feeling. Openness, achieved through lower shelving units, wide aisles, lots of clear, uncluttered space between furniture and equipment make the space appealing, but also make the space more legible and secure.

23. Current Trends  Self-Service and Operational Efficiency Through user-friendly design, patrons are being encouraged to help themselves, freeing library staff to assist with more complex support. The library should be “self-guiding” so that layout of spaces and collections is intuitive.

24. Good library planning recognizes how people use the library, and how they wish to be convenienced rather than inconvenienced.

25. Tensions/Contradictions  Security versus Accessibility  Task based service versus customer focused service  Clutter versus clarity  Quiet spaces, noisy places  Hotel lobby or library

26. Tensions/Contradictions It is possible to design library spaces that are functional and attractive, beautiful and practical. Planning becomes a balancing act between inherent tensions and contradictions.

27. Planning space around services: what should be. Planning service around spaces: what often happens.

28. Practical Suggestions  Factors that contribute to ease of use: Logical layout, good lighting, open uncluttered aisles, colour to denote areas, clear and consistent signage Entry should be clear and contain glimpses of the content Visible staff presence Clear sight lines between areas, between staff areas and public areas Collection arranged in logical sequence

29. Practical Suggestions  Avoid common ailments of libraries Sporadic development over time: “with time, flaws that may be obvious to even a casual visitor can become all but invisible to library staff” Technology inappropriately placed: “because that’s where it fits” Temporary sometimes lasts for years

30. Practical Suggestions  Minimizing noise and disruptions careful location of differing functions, dropped or suspended ceilings over certain areas stacks or furniture in alcoves plants and carpets to absorb sound segregation of washrooms, mechanical

31. Practical Suggestions  Signage too much leads to visual overload Not enough, not legible, logical If inconsistent, it is distracting, becomes invisible All the signage in the world won’t overcome poor planning and poor layout

32. Practical Suggestions  Furniture use office suppliers, millwork, local design,

33. “The ability of a non-library user to approach and recognize service points and overall library resources is critical to an effective library.”

34. Practical Suggestions  Learn the fine art of tweaking, you don’t get everything right the first time;  Let customers and staff tell you what they need/want.

35. Practical Suggestions  Consult while planning Consult the literature Consult the Internet Consult peers, visit libraries Consult your own library staff Consult Teaching Staff Consult students Consult with Administration

36. Evaluating your library space T he opening of a new facility results in well-earned applause, but too often little is done to evaluate the building or respond to the inevitable surprises in the way the public chooses to use the building.

37. Evaluating your library space The evaluation process shouldn’t be limited to new buildings - it can and should be used to improve a library at any stage in the building’s life cycle.

38. Evaluating your library space  Never stop evaluating the effect your space has on your service  Never stop evaluating the effect your service has on your space

39. Re-energizing your Library Space to Enhance Service